Labeling and feeding machine

ABSTRACT

A method for labeling mailing pieces including the steps of severing a label from a label strip by movement of a cuttertransfer-applicator block having a cutter, affixing the severed label to a transfer-applicator surface of the cutter-transferapplicator block, transferring the label on the transferapplicator surface to an application zone by movement of the cutter-transfer-applicator block, applying the severed label to a mailing piece in the application zone by movement of the cuttertransfer-applicator block whereby adhesive on the label attaches it to the mailing piece, and releasing the severed portion of the label strip from said surface. A labeling and feeding machine having a single part, the cutter-transfer-applicator block, to sever a label from a label strip, transfer the label to an application zone, and apply the label to a mailing piece.

[ 1 Oct. 23, 1973 LABELlNG AND FEEDING MACHINE ABSTRACT lnventor: FrankM. Blossom, 25038 Churchill Ln., Glen Ellyn, 111. 60137 A method forlabeling mailing pieces including the [22] Filed: Ja 1972 steps ofsevering a label from a label strip by move- 211 App]. No.: 220

617 ment of a cutter-transfer-applicator block having a cutter, affixingthe severed label to a transfer- Related U.S

Application Dam applicator surface of the cutter-transfer-applicator[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 21 block, transferring the label on thetransfer-applicator ,923, March 30, 1970.

surface to an application zone by movement of the [52] U.S. 156/518,156/521 cutter-transfer-applicator block, applying the severed label toa mailing piece in the application zone by movement of thecutter-transfer-applicator block whereby adhesive on the label attachesit to the mail- 51 Int. B3211 31/00 [58] Field ofSearch..................... 156/518 ing piece, and releasing the severedportion of the label strip from said surface. A labeling and feedingReferences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS "156,521 machine having a singlepart, the cutter-transfer- 3,654,038 4 1972 Hottendorf...... 2,543,2202,483,452

applicator block to sever a label from a label strip,

, and apply the 2 1951 Ardell............. 156/521 12 1949 Fischer etal. 156/521 transfer the label to appllcatlon Zone label to a mailingpiece.

7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Primary ExaminerDouglas J. DrummondAttorney-Richard E. Alexander et al.

PATENTEDHCIZB I973 3.767514 SHEET 1 BF 5 INVENTOR:

FRANK M. BLOSSOM PATENIElJum 2': m 3.767; 5 1 d SHEEY 20$ 5 INVENTOR.FRANK M. BLOSSOM 316mm PATENI W sum 3 or 5 m L INVENTOR: ao 'l- FRANK M.BLOSSOM Pmmmma ms 3.767.514

SHEET 4 OF 5 I N VENTOR:

\ BIZ/RANK M. BLOSSOM PAIENIEDBm 23 um SHEET 5 OF 5 mn ON nn NE mnnNI wzJNVENTOR: sRANK M. BLOSSOM ATT'YS LABELING AND FEEDING MACHINE This is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 21,923, filed Mar. 30, 1970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Todays increasing use of mass mailing forbilling, advertising, and a great variety of other purposes gives riseto a continuing need for improvement in the techniques of mass mailing.Various automated means of addressing, imprinting, and collating havedeveloped in recent years to facilitate preparation of a mass mailing.The large number of patents which have been granted to developmentswhich have improved the techniques of mass mailing is indicative ofprogress in the art. Nevertheless, many inefficiencies stifle theoperations in a mailing plant. Techniques currently in use arecontinually subject to breakdown and malfunction, thus causing a largeamount of downtime. Furthermore, even in a system which is free ofmalfunction, specific problems in mechanized addressing arise from thecomplicated nature of addressing equipment of the prior art.

Prior art equipment typically had a large number of moving parts comingin contact with an address or label strip or individual label whichwould be applied to an envelope, card or other mailing piece. It iselementary in the paper-moving art that, in general, a greater amount ofmoving contact of paper with machinery results in a greater chance formalfunctioning. A generally related problem is inaccuracy in cuttinglabels from a strip for application to mailing pieces such as envelopesor cards. Often a strip will be improperly cut thus deleting part of anaddress and making proper place ment on an envelope or card or othermailing piece impossible. Another generally related problem isinconsistency of position of placement of anaddress label on anenvelope, card, or other mailing piece. This problem is particularlyharmful if labels are placed on a card for display through envelopewindows. This problem can be caused by inaccurate placement of anaddress label on the part which applies-the label. This inaccurateplacement in turn may be caused by many factors, including lack of labelstrip control and inaccurate cutting. v

The large number of moving parts in equipment of the prior art forapplication of a label to a mailing piece has been thought to be anunfortunate necessity caused by the variety of steps which must beexecuted. Generally, a label must be severed from a label strip, thentransferred from the label strip and severing area to an applicationzone, then applied to a mailing piece. The prior art method ofaccomplishing these steps required a plurality of movements and aplurality of parts moving in relation to each other. These complicatedmovements and their relation to the label paper resulted in inaccuracyand malfunctioning of the equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My invention overcomes the aforementionedproblems by providing a novel labeling and feeding machine and method.Specifically, a labeling assembly having fewer moving parts in contactwith a label or an address or other label strip is provided, reducingthe opportunity for malfunction. My invention uses a single part, thecutter-transfer-applicator block, to serve several functions.

Since a single part serves these multiple functions, there is lessmoving contact of paper and machine and hence there is less opportunityfor malfunction. Greatly enhanced accuracy of label cutting andplacement is provided.

The cutter-transfer-applicator block is used to cut a label from a labelstrip, transfer the label to an application zone for application to amailing piece, and apply the label to a mailing piece.

Accuracy in label cutting is gained by coordination of a metering meansand this cutte'r-transfer-applicator block, by firm location of labelstrip on the metering means, by cutting the labels along their widerdimension, their width rather than their height, thus requiring shorterstrip advance per label and consequent less moving contact of paper andmachine. Accuracy in placing the label onto an envelope or card isgained because the cutter edge, against which the label is carried afterbeing cut, provides the datum point for location of the label in respectto the mailing piece to which the label will be attached. This isaccomplished because the cutter-transfer-applicator block both cuts andapplies the labels, itself transferring the label to an applicationzone. There is no passage of the label to a separate part forapplication. The label is transferred to the application zone andapplied to the mailing piece by the same part which made the cut.

It is an object of this invention to provide a labeling and feedingmachine and method which overcomes the aforementioned problems.

It is another object of this invention to provide a labeling assemblyhaving fewer moving parts in contact with the label strip and labels.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a labeling assemblyhaving a single part which serves the multiple functions of cutting alabel from a strip, transferring the label to an application zone andapplying the label to a mailing piece.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a labeling assemblyhaving greatly improved accuracy in label cutting and label placement onmailing pieces.

It is another object of this invention to provide a labeling assemblyhaving a cutter which provides the datum point for location of a labelin respect to a mailing piece to which it is to be attached.

These and other important objects will become apparent from thefollowing description and from the drawing showing preferred embodimentswherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a labeling and feeding machine of myinvention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the labeling and feeding machine showingthe main functional section thereof.

FIG. 3 is a back elevation of the labeling and feeding machine of FIG.ll showing the main functional section thereof.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the section of the labeling and feedingmachine shown in FIG. 2, with a portion in section view as indicated bySection 4-4 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 5 is a section view as indicated by Section 55 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a section view as indicated by Section 6-6 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a section view as indicated by Section 7-7 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the drum shaft and associated parts, thecutter-transfer-applicator block shaft and associated parts and themetering wheel shaft and associated parts.

FIG. 9 is a piece part view.

Referring to the figures and specifically to FIG. 1, a labeling andfeeding machine of my invention is shown having functional portions orparts designated generally as label strip supplier means 18, labelingassembly 19, mailing piece feeding means 15, cutter-transferapplicatorblock 20, metering means 21 and hopper 22.

As shown in the figures, the parts of the labeling and feeding machineare mounted on a frame having two side plates, machine side plate 77 andinput side plate 78. The side plates are fastened to main frame uprights70 and spaced properly by means of cross channel 62, end plate 60, lowerspacer 57, housing bar 45, all members being securely bolted orotherwise connected. Main frame uprights 70 are bolted to lowersupporting frame 205. The main functional shafts, that is, drum shaft64, metering wheel shaft 63 and cutter-transferapplicator block shaft65, are supported on either end by the two side plates. Hopper 22 ismounted between the sides plates and provides a supply of mailing pieceswhich will be labeled. Label strip supplier means 18 is mounted on crosschannel 62 in a position permitting supply of address strips to ametering wheel 100 directly below. A driving means 17 such as electricalmotor may be mounted on lower supporting frame 205 and may be equippedwith a sprocket l6 and chain 25 or other suitable means to allowtransmission of the driving force to drum shaft 64. Drum shaft 64 willlikewise be equipped with a sprocket 26 or other suitable drive pick-upmeans. Beneath the lower supporting frame and connected thereto arecasters 207 facilitating movement of the labeling and feeding machine.

A portion of label strip 13 from label strip supplier means 18 will beadvanced by the movement of metering means 21. Referring specifically toFIGS. 6, 8 and 9, a label 41, the portion of label strip 13 so advanced,is severed from label strip 13 by cutter 69 of cuttertransfer-applicatorblock 20 and will be transferred by transfer-applicator surface 32 ofcutter-transferapplicator block 20 to application zone 40 forapplication to a mailing piece 42 which is fed from hopper 22 toapplication zone 40 by mailing piece feeding means 15.

The severing by cutter 69 is accomplished by the movement ofcutter-transfer-applicator block 20. As the portion 41 of label strip 13is severed, it is temporarily affixed to transfer-applicator surface 32by a holding and releasing means, a portion of which is apertures 33defined by transfer-applicator surface 32, in the preferred embodimentshown in the figures. A vacuum-producing means, as further detailedherein, is in communication with portion 41 through apertures 33 at thetime of severing a label from label strip 13, and permitstransfer-applicator surface 32 of cuttertransfer-applicator block 20 toreceive the label upon severing. The vacuum-producing means remains incommunication with label, or portion, 41 as cuttertransfer-applicatorblock 20 moves from the severing position, or first position, to aposition for application of the label to a mailing piece, a secondposition. Other holding and releasing means for receiving portion 41 byaffixing it to transfer-applicator surface 32 may be used. Mechanicalmeans are suitable. However, a vacuum-producing means communicating withlabel 41 through apertures 33 in transfer-applicator surface 32 ishighly preferred.

Label 41 is applied to mailing piece 42 by transferapplicator surface 32of cutter-transfer-applicator block 20 as label or portion 41 andmailing piece 42 pass through application zone 40, pressure beingexerted on label 41 and mailing piece 42 by the action oftransfer-applicator surface 32 with respect to pressure part 39. Thelabeled mailing piece 43 will be fed by mailing piece feeding means 15to a deposit zone 44 generally below mailing piece feeding means 15 andwill be released by the feeding means. The deposit zone may have acontainer such as a tray, basket or box, or a conveyor belt or otherreceptacle generally below mailing piece feeding means 15 for deposit oflabeled mailing piece 43.

Cutter-transfer-applicator block 20 is moved by drive means 17 throughsuitable linkage to sever portion 41 from label strip 13, to transferportion 41 on transferapplicator surface 32 and to apply portion 41 to amailing piece in application zone 40. Any movement ofcutter-transfer-applicator block 20 which accomplishes the operationsset forth is suitable for this invention. It is preferred thatcutter-Iransfer-applicator block 20 be rotatably mounted, and that theoperations set forth be accomplished in one rotation of the block, as isdone in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures.

LABEL STRIP SUPPLIER MEANS Label strip supplier means 18, shown in FIG.1, is mounted on cross channel 62. Label hopper is adjustably fixedbetween label hopper supports 111. The label hopper is an open box-likedevice providing location for storage of label strip 13. Tension bars112 are also mounted on label hopper supports 111. Extending between theends of tension bars 112 is a pressure bar 113 to which pressure pad 114is attached. Label strip 13 rubs against pressure pad 114 and is held ata proper tension thereby. Pad springs 115 may be lengthened or shortenedto increase or decrease the pressure on label strip 13. Often the weightof pressure bar 113 and tension bars 1 12 are sufficient to maintain theproper tension in label strip 13. Label hopper 110, label hoppersupports 111, tension bars 112 and pressure bar 113 may be made of metalor wood or a wide variety of other materials. Pressure pad 114 may befelt or a wide variety of other materials.

As shown in the figures, label hopper 110 is made to facilitate labelstrips which are folded in an accordian fashion. This type of labelstrip is preferred because it easily permits the use of computer-typepaper, a particularly convenient way of providing address lists. Othertypes of label strip supplier means are suitable for use in myinvention. For example, a label strip supplier means adaptable for usewith a label strip roll is suitable. Any label strip supplier meanswhich will supply a label strip to a metering means is suitable.

METERING MEANS Metering means 21 receives a label strip from label stripsupplier means 18 and advances a portion of label strip intermittentlyfor the cutting therefrom of labels by cutter-transfer-applicator block20. Metering means 32 has a metering wheel 100 mounted on metering wheelshaft 63, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 8. Metering wheel shaft 63extends between machine side plate 77 and input side plate 78 and turnsin bearing means 101 therein. Label strip 13 is threaded around meteringwheel 100 and is held firmly thereon by pins 102, which engage holes inlabel strip 13, and by label strip guide 103, mounted on guide bar 104.As viewed generally in FIGS. 1, 6 and 8, metering wheel 100 is turned bymetering wheel shaft 63 in a clockwise direction. An address, or otherlabel information is normally placed between holes on the label stripand the cut made by cutter edge 68 of cutter-transfer-applicator block20 will normally intersect the hole in label strip 13 and be parallel tometering wheel shaft 63. Therefore, in one rotation of metering wheel100, there will be one cut for each pin 102. Metering wheel 100 servesas an anvil for cutter edge 68, as will be more thoroughly explainedhereafter. It is preferred that metering wheel 100 be stationary whencutter edge 68 cuts a label from label strip 13.

For every rotation of the cutter-transfer-applicator block in acounterclockwise fashion, metering wheel 100 must rotate an amount equalto the distance between pins in a clockwise direction. To achieve thiscoordination between cutter-transfer-applicator block 20 and meteringwheel 100, I have used a geneva device 190 together with a sprocketsystem 185 which provide intermittent motion of metering wheel 100 fromthe continuous movement of cutter-transfer-applicator block shaft 65,which movement will be explained hereafter. Geneva devices and sprocketsystems are well known in the mechanical art. In the labeling andfeeding machines which I have built, I have placed the geneva device andsprocket system outside input side plate 78 as shown in FIG. 1. However,these devices or other devices, performing their function may be mountedin many other ways. The geneva device 190 and sprocket system 185 areshown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 and are detailed in the section view of FIG.5. Geneva driver wheel 195 is mounted on cutter-transferapplicator blockshaft 65 and rotates with cuttertransfer-applicator block 20. Mounted ongeneva driver wheel 195 is driver wheel catch 191 in apositionpermitting it to engage geneva wheel 192. Geneva wheel 192 ismounted on geneva'wheel shaft 193 which is attached to input side plate78. Geneva wheel 192 turns on bearing means 194. Also mounted on genevawheel shaft 193 is geneva wheel sprocket 196, suitably spaced from inputside plate 78 by geneva wheel spacer 197. The rotation of geneva driverwheel 195 causes driver wheel catch 191 to engage genevawheel 192 andcause geneva wheel 192 and geneva wheel sprocket196 to rotate through afraction of one rotation. Chain 186, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8,transmits the movement of geneva wheel sprocket 196 to metering wheel100 by means of metering wheel shaft 63 and metering wheel shaftsprocket 187 to which chain 186 is attached. Metering wheel shaftsprocket 187 is maintained in the same general plane as geneva wheelsprocket 196 by means of spacer 188. Metering wheel 100 must rotateintermittently such that for each movement the circumferential distancemoved is equal to the height of one label, which is the distance betweenpins 102 on metering wheel 100. For every such movement a cut must bemade by cutter edge 68. Therefore, cutter-transfer-applicator block 20must rotate one full rotation for each distance advance of meteringwheel 100.

In the labeling and feeding machines which I have built, I have used 10pins on metering wheel 100. To

accomplish the proper coordination of cutter-transferapplicator block 20and metering wheel I have used a geneva device with 5 to 1 ratio andsprocket system with a 2 to 1 ratio such that ten full rotations ofcutter-transfer-applicator block 20 occur for one full rotation ofmetering wheel 100, a 10 to l ratio. Wide ranges of ratios are workableand other devices maybe used to obtain proper motion. Ratios from 8 to lto 14 to 1 are preferable. Ratios lower than about 8 to 1 will introduceproblems of maintaining the label strip on the metering wheel and latercurling because of the small radius of the metering wheel, unless thelabel height is substantially increased. Ratios higher than about 14 to1 are workable but introduce problems of a rather ill-defined commontangent point of the cuttertransfer-applicator block arc and meteringwheel for cutting purposes.

Other types of metering means than the devices described are alsoworkable. Any device which will properly advance a label strip forcutting by the cutting means of my invention and provide support for thelabel strip during the cutting is suitable. The advancing of a labelstrip by the metering means used in the preferred embodiment shown isintermittent. The label strip may be stopped when cutter 62 ofcutter-transferapplicator block 20 severs a portion therefrom, or it maybe moving at that time at a speed approximating the speed of cutter edge68 of cutter 69. The latter is preferred. By the preferred way, theadvance of a portion of label strip 13 is completed and metering wheel100 stops moving. Then as cutter edge 68 approaches to sever thisportion of the strip, the advance of the next portion begins. Themovement of label strip 13 at the speed of cutter edge 68 duringsevering reduces the chance for tearing.

The metering wheel described should be made of hard material. In thelabeling and feeding machines which I have built I have used tool steelof from 58-60 Rockwell C (RC). The material used cannot be too brittle.It must properly deflect the cutting edge from possible slight contact.High carbon and high chromium steel, or other hard tool steel issuitable for the metering wheel. The pins may be made of similarmaterial. Label strip guide 103, which is mounted on guide bar 104, maybe of any material such as aluminum or steel or plastic. Metering wheelshaft 63, bearing means 101 and guide bar 104 may be made of manymaterials, preferably machine metals.

The sprockets, chains and geneva device parts are made of materials,such as tool steel, which are common in the mechanical art.

THE CUTTER-TRANSFER-APPLICATOR BLOCK The principal part of the labelingand feeding machine of my invention is cutter-transfer-applicator block20, shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 8. It is mounted oncutter-transfer-applicator block shaft 65 which extends through inputside plate 78 and through machine side plate 77 and turns in bearingmeans 72 therein as shown in FIG. 4. Cutter-transfer-applicator blockshaft 65 turns geneva drive wheel 196 to provide movement for meteringwheel 100. Cutter-transfer-applicator block shaft 65 andcutter-transfer-applicator block 20 are driven by transmission ofmovement from drum shaft 64 by gears as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 8. Thetransmission of movement from drum shaft 64 tocutter-transfer-applicator block 20 may be interrupted by the operationof solenoid clutching device 66 which operates to disengage one part ofcutter-transferapplicator block shaft 65 from another part thereof onsignal from a photocell 67, shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the operation ofwhich is explained further hereinafter. The solenoid clutching devicemay be one of several varieties which are common in the art. Typically,such a device operates by the throwing and withdrawing of a connectingpin by the solenoid between a driving part and a pickup part ofcutter-transfer-applicator block shaft 65. The device is well-known inthe printing, labeling and paper-moving art.

The movement of drum shaft 64 will be explained hereinafter. Drum shaftdrive gear 80, mounted on drum shaft 64, is engaged with block shaftgear 82, which is mounted on cutter-transfer-applicator block shaft 65.

Cutter-transfer-applicator block is securely fastened tocutter-transfer-applicator block shaft 65 and turns with the rotation ofthe shaft. Mounted on cuttertransfer-applicator block 20 is cutter 69,having cutter edge 68. Cutter edge 68 cuts labels from label strip 13using metering wheel 100 as an anvil. The cutting action of cutter edge68 results as the rotation of cuttertransfer-applicator block 20 causescutter edge 68 to pass in close relation with metering wheel 100, whichtypically is also rotating at the same time. A preferred apparatus forcutter-transfer-applicator block 20 and cutter edge 68 has cutter edge68 as an edge of cutter 69 which is connected tocutter-transfer-applicator block 20 in a manner as detailed in FIG. 6.Cutter 69 is connected to cutter-transfer-applicator block 20 by meansof bolts 85. Cutter-transfer-applicator block 20 and cutter 69 are incontact only against a portion of cutter 69, thereby allowing about halfof cutter 69 to extend freely unsupported on either face thereof. Ascutter edge 68 contacts label strip 13 which is against metering wheel100, the cutter cuts off a label by virtue of the pressure exerted bycutter edge 68. The freely extending segment of cutter 69, of whichcutter edge 68 is a part, has some forgiveness and may move slightly inthe direction of cutter-transfer-applicator block 20 to prevent damageto metering wheel 100 which is serving as an anvil. As cutter 69 givesin this fashion, the pressure on label strip 13 is increased by virtueof the spring in cutter 69 and the cut is cleanly made. In the preferredembodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, cutter edge 68 is formed byperpendicular planes of cutter 69. Cutter edge 68 is a longest edge ofcutter 69. Bolts 85 pass through lengthened apertures defined by cutter69 and, when bolts 85 are loosened, cutter 69 may be adjusted to movecutter edge 68 to a different position, a different radial distance fromthe axis of cutter-transfer-applicator block shaft 65. This adjustmentallows correction in the cutting qualities of the apparatus and allowssharpening of the cutter edge without disposal thereof.

As a portion is cut from label strip 13, the label is affixed totransfer-applicator surface 32 of the cuttertransfer-applicator block bymeans of a vacuum. Surface 32 defines apertures 33 which are used forproducing a vacuum at surface 32. The apertures are part of a holdingand releasing means for temporarily affixing the severed portion, orlabel, from label strip 13 to transfer-applicator surface 32. FIGS. 4and 6 show apertures 33 and their communication with channels 34 definedby cutter-transfer-applicator block 20. Channels 34 also extend throughwear plate 50, shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 8, which is mounted oncutter-transferapplicator block shaft 65 and turns thereon. Wear plate50 contacts manifold 51 which is stationary, and within whichcutter-transfer-applicator block shaft 65 rotates within bearing means52, as shown in FIG. 4. Manifold 51 is held firmly in a stationaryposition by vacuum supply pipe 53 and by other means not shown. Wearplate 50 turns against manifold 51, the contact of the two parts beingsubstantially airtight. As wear plate 50 turns, channels 34 arealternately shut off from vacuum by virtue of exposure of channel 34 tothe flat solid face of manifold 51 or exposed to vacuum by virtue ofexposure to manifold vacuum reservoir 54, shown in FIG. 4. Manifoldvacuum reservoir 54 is defined by manifold 51 in a fashion permitting avacuum to be present at surface 32 for the portion of one complete turnof cutter-transfer-applicator block 20 during which a label is being cutand transferred to application zone 40, and removing the vacuum fromsurface 32 from the time the label is applied to mailing piece 42 untilsome time thereafter but before another label is cut from label strip13. Apertures 33, channels 34, manifold vacuum reservoir 54, and vacuumsupply pipe 53 provide substantially airtight communication with avacuumproducing means. Typically the vacuum-producing means will runconstantly, the location of manifold vacuum reservoir 54 and the turningof wear plate 50 against manifold 51 determining the timing of vacuum atsurface 32. Coil spring 55 maintains a suitable pressure betweenmanifold 51 and wear plate 50 to prevent substantial air leaks. Othermeans may be used to provide a timed vacuum at surface 32, and othermeans may be used to cause a label to be affixed to surface 32.

Heating means 86, shown in FIG. 6, is contained withincutter-transfer-applicator block 20 below surface 32, and provides heatat surface 32. Heating means 86 serves as an adhesive means, that is,means for providing a sticky adhesive for attachment of a severedportion of label strip 13 to a mailing piece upon contact of the severedportion with a mailing piece as the severed portion is applied bytransfer-applicator surface 32 of cutter-transfer-applicator block 20.The heat is controlled by thermostat 87, shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, alsocontained within cutter-transfer-applicator block 20 and in positionresponsive to heating means 86. The heat at surface 32 is used toactivate heatactive glue on the backs of the labels being transferred toapplication zone 40, the information side of said labels being againsttransfer-applicator surface 32. 1 prefer using a heating means to allowattachment of the labels to the mailing pieces. Other adhesive means aresuitable, however. Another possible method would be by spraying orwiping of glue against the label back during the transfer to applicationzone 40. The heating means used with a heat-activated glue is thepreferred means of providing adherence of a severed portion to a mailingpiece, however, because of its neatness and much less paper-handlinghazard associated therewith.

Heating means 86 is preferably an electrical coil or other electricalheating element. Wires 88, shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, for supplyingelectrical current to the heating means, turn oncutter-transfer-applicator block shaft 65 and are supplied by slidingelectrical contact means 89, which is common in the art.

Thermostat 87 controls the temperature at surface 32 to provideactivation of the heat-active glue on the label backs by preventingoverheating. Many suitable thermostat devices are common in the art.Heat-active glues are well-known and readily obtainable on paper frompaper manufacturers.

Briefly, summarizing the operations of cuttertransfer-applicator block20, three basic operations are performed. First, cutter 69 ofcutter-transfer-applicator block 20 cuts a label from metering means 100by movement of cutter-transfer-applicator block 20. The movement ofmetering means 100 and cutter-transferapplicator block 20 are such thata label substantially of a width equal to the distance between two pins102 is available for cutting by cutter 69. When cutter 69 cuts off alabel from label strip 13, vacuum at surface 32 causes the affixing ofthe label to surface 32. Secondly, the movement ofcutter-transfer-applicator block 20, having provided the force forcutting by cutter edge 68, transfer the label which is adhering tosurface 32 to application zone 40. Thirdly, the movement ofcutter-transfer-applicator block 20 applies the label to a mailing piecewhich is moving between pressure part 39 and the label which is adheringto transferapplicator surface 32. Pressure part 39 will provide asuitable backing such that the movement of surface 32 will supplysufficient pressure to apply a label to a mailing piece. As the label onsurface 32 passes pressure part 39, the vacuum at surface 32 is removedthereby permitting the release of the label from surface 32 and itsattachment to the mailing piece by means of a suitable adhesive such asa heat-activated glue. The vacuum in each of the channels 34 is removedat the proper time by virtue of location of the aforementioned manifoldvacuum reservoir 54. As cuttertransfer-applicator block 20 continues itsmovement, rotation in the preferred embodiment shown, the cutting,transferring and applying operations are repeated.

Cutter-transfer-applicator block 20, cutter-transferapplicator blockshaft 65, bolts 85, coil spring 55, manifold 51, block shaft gear 81,drum shaft drive gear 80 and bearing means 52 are typically made ofhardened tool steel. Cutter 69 is made of hardenedtool steel, preferablyof from about 58 to 60 Rockwell C. Cutter 69 cannot be too brittle as itmust withstand the repeated pressures of the cutting action. Wear plate50 may be made of a wide variety of materials. It is preferable that itprovide substantially airtight contact with manifold 51. Plasticmaterials and soft metals are suitable. Heating elements to serve asheating means 89 are well-known in the art and elements running on 110volts are available. Thermostat 87 may be one of several types widelyavailable. Several varieties of heatsensitive glue are available. Iprefer using hot melts, a variety of which are available and well-knownin the art. Various plastics are also suitable.

MAILING PIECE FEEDING MEANS Mailing piece feeding means comprises a drumshaft 64 which extends through input side plate 78 and machine sideplate 77 and turns in bearing means 79 therein, as shown in FIG. 4.Mounted on drum shaft 64 are first disc 151, second disc 152, third disc153, fourth disc 154 and fifth disc 155, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. Eachof these discs is firmly attached to drum shaft 64 and rotatestherewith. Fixed cam 156, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, is mounted ondrum shaft 64, and drum shaft 64 turns within it on bearing means 157,shown in FIG. 7. Fixed cam 156 is held in stationary position byadjusting link 158 to input side plate 78.

Extending from fixed disc through each of discs 154, 153, 152 and 151and beyond is catcher rod 159. Catcher rod 159 is substantially parallelwith drum shaft 64 and is free to rotate on its own axis within discs151 to 155. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, cather rod gear 161) is mountedon and affixed to cather rod 159 in a position between first disc 151and input side plate 78. Mounted on and affixed to catcher rod 159 inthe positions between second disc 152 and third disc 153 is first cather161, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Similarly, second catcher 162, shown inFIG. 8 and in the cutaway portion of FIG. 6, is mounted on and affixedto cather rod 159 in a position between fourth disc 154 and fifth disc155. Catchers 161 and 162 are generally L-shaped metal strips whichtogether hold a mailing piece and feed it, as the drum shaft and discsturn, to application zone 40 for application of a label thereto.Catchers 161 and 162, when in a closed position, clamp a mailing pieceto catcher pads 163, shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8.

Pressure part structure 164, shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 8, is mounted ina stationay position on lower spacer 57 and secures pressure part 39which is mounted thereon. Catchers 161 and 162, after gripping a mailingpiece against catcher pads 163, carry the mailing piece by virtue ofrotation of drum shaft 64 and discs 151 to 155 over stationary pressurepart structure 164 to pressure part 39 in application zone 40. As themailing piece is fed past the pressure part 39, transferapplicatorsurface 32 of cutter-transfer-applicator block 20, with a label adheringthereto passes pressure part 39 at substantially the samecircumferential rate of speed. Pressure is applied through the label tothe mailing piece and pressure part 39 by transfer-applicator surface32, and, as the label is released by cuttertransfer-applicator block 20,attachment is accomplished. The addressed mailing piece is further fedby the aforementioned rotation of drum shaft 64 and discs 151 to 155.Thereafter, at a certain point, catchers 161 and 162 will open andrelease the labeled mailing piece to deposit zone 44. Reference is madeto FIGS. 6 and 7. As rotation of drum shaft 64 continues, catcher 161,now in an open position, as shown in FIG. 7, will approach hopper 22 andclose around another mailing piece to repeat 'the operations.

The opening and closing action of catchers 161 and 162 is caused byrotation of catcher rod 159. Rotation of catcher rod 159 is causedthrough catcher rod gear by the movement of gear arm 165, shown in FIGS.4, 7 and 8, which is engaged with catcher rod gear 160. Gear arm 165 isaffixed to pivot bar 166. Pivot bar 166 rotates on pivot rod 167 whichis affixed to first disc 151. On one end of pivot bar 166 is springplunger holder 168 to which is mounted spring plunger 169. Springplunger 169 runs through spring 170, which is secured to plungerreceptacle 171. The spring provides a return force on pivot bar 166supported by plunger receptacle 171.

Spring 170, spring plunger 169, spring plunger holder 168, pivot rod167, pivot bar 166, gear arm 165, catcher rod gear 160 and catcher rod159 as well as catchers 161 and 162 and catcher pads 163, turn with therotation of drum shaft 64 and discs 151 to 155. Also attached to pivotbar 166 is roller 172 which rotates on roller pin 173. Roller 172 rollsover fixed cam 156, the changing radius of which causes pivot bar 166 torotate on pivot rod 167 causing gear arm 165 to turn catcher rod gear160, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Specifically, as the radius of fixed cam156 increases, catcher rod 159 causes catchers 161 and 162 to open. Theopen position is illustrated in FIG. 7, the catcher position being suchthat a labeled mailing piece has just been released. As the radius offixed cam 156 decreases, catcher rod 159 causes catchers 161 and 162 toclose. Also, as the radius increases, spring 170 is compressed, and, asthe radius decreases, spring 170 maintains roller 172 in contact withfixed cam 156 and causes catchers 161 and 162 to close.

The cam-responsive device just described, which operates the catchersfor the purpose of grasping mailing pieces for feeding from hopper 22 toapplication zone 40, feeds one mailing piece per full rotation of drumshaft 64. FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, for purposes of clarity, illustrate only oneof such devices. However, multiple sets of this device may be mounted onfirst disc 151. In the preferred labeling and feeding machine shown inthe drawings, the gear ratio of drum drive shaft gear 80 to block shaftgear 81 is such that there are two turns of thecutter-transfer-applicator block shaft 65 for each single turn of drumshaft 64. Therefore, two of the aforementioned cam-responsive devicesare mounted on first disc 151. It is conceivable that three or four suchdevices could be mounted on first disc 151, however, no particularadvantage is gained thereby and the machine becomes more complicated.

Discs 151 155, fixed cam 156, bearing means 157, adjusting link 158,catcher rod 159, catcher rod gear 160, catchers 161 and 162, gear arm165, pivot bar 166, pivot rod 167, spring plunger holder 168, springplunger 169, spring 170, plunger receptacle 171, roller 172 and rollerpin 173 are typically made of materials such as tool steel, which arecommon in the art. Certain of the parts, such as pressure part structure164, are often made of aluminum or other metals. Catcher pads 163 may bemade of hardened rubber or a wide variety of other compositionmaterials. Each of the aforementioned parts may be made of othermaterials. One familiar with the art and with this invention wouldrecognize suitable materials.

Hopper 22 provides a supply of mailing pieces for mailing piece feedingmeans 15. The tilt of hopper 22, as shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 9, willcause a stack of mailing pieces to advance toward mailing piece feedingmeans 15. Adjustable side rails 24, shown in FIG. 1, run the length ofhopper 22 and permit varying widths of mailing pieces. Other parts ofthe labeling and feeding machine will readily accept mailing pieces ofvarying widths without requirement of adjustment. Restraining plate 23,which extends along hopper 22 in contact with the bottom section of thestack of mailing pieces, prevents the stack of mailing pieces fromfalling out of hopper 22.

MOveable fingers 124, shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 7 and 8, alternately open andclose in contact or near contact with a blower support bar 125 whichextends from machine side plate 77 to input side plate 78. When movablefingers 124 are in contact or near contact with blower support bar 125,the movable fingers are preventing the top section of the stack ofmailing pieces from interfering with withdrawal of the bottommostmailing piece 47 and are preventing mailing pieces near the bottom ofthe stack from being pulled out by the action of mailing piece feedingmeans 15, catchers 161 and 162 of which have grabbed the bottommostmailing piece which was moved to a position for the grab by suction cups138. Reference is made to FIG. 7, which shows restraint of the stack ofmailing pieces by movable fingers 124.

When movable fingers 124 are in a position away from blower support bar125, suction cups 138, shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8, will advance towardthe bottommost mailing piece, and withdraw the top of that mailing pieceaway from the remainder of the stack making it available for thegrabbing action of catchers 161 and 162. See FIG. 7. Before catchers 161and 162 grab bottommost mailing piece 47, movable fingers 124 willadvance to a position in contact or near contact with blower support bar125 to restrain the stack as just described. The movement of suctioncups 138 and movable fingers 124 is produced by mechanical linkage withsuction cup cam 139 and finger cam 126, respectively.

Reference is made to FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8 for understanding of theoperation of suction cups 138. Suction cup cam 139 is mounted on andaffixed to drum shaft 64. Mechanical linkage causing the movement ofsuction cups 138 is formed by cam follower 140, shown in FIGS. 4 and 8,which is alternately moved to positions nearer to and farther from theaxis of drum shaft 64 by the decrease and increase in the radius ofsuction cup cam 139 with respect to the contact of cam follower 140. Themovement of cam follower 140 turns follower arm 141 on pivot rod 142.Cam follower 140 is maintained against suction cup cam 139 by springmeans 178 as partially shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4and 8, the turning of pivot rod 142 moves linkage pieces 143 and 144 andcauses movement in adjustable arm 145, which in turn rotates pivot rod146. Adjuster 147 may lengthen or shorten the effective length ofadjustable arm 145 to decrease or increase the arc of rotation of pivotrod 146 respectively. Referring specifically to FIG. 7, lower arm 148,mounted on pivot rod 146, is turned thereby, and by means of upper arm149 causes suction cup assembly to pivot on pivot pin 176, which issecured to stationary support 177. Suction cup vacuum tube 179 providessubstantially airtight communication between a vacuum-producing means,typically the same vacuumproducing means as is used to provide a vacuumat surface 32, and suction cups 138. A constant vacuum may be suppliedthrough suction cups 138 or a timing mechanism may be used to causerelease of the vacuum at the time catchers 161 and 162 grab a mailingpiece from suction cups 138. Such a timing mechanism is not required,however, because the grabbing action of catchers 161 and 162 are usuallysufficient to pull a mailing piece away from suction cups 138 withlittle or no slippage between catcher pad 163 and catchers 161 and 162.

The use of suction cups has proved to be quite successful. However,other mechanical means may be used to transfer a mailing piece fromhopper 22 to mailing piece feeding means 15.

Suction cups 138 may be made of soft pliable rubber or of varioussynthetic materials. Suction cup vacuum tube 179 is normally made ofrubber or a synthetic material, but may be made of a wide variety ofother materials including metal. Suction cup cam 138. cam follower 140,follower arm 141, pivot rod 142, linkage pieces 143 and 144, adjustablearm 145, pivot rod 146,

adjuster 147, lower arm 148, upper arm 149, suction cup assembly 175,pivot pin 176, stationary support 177, and spring means 178 may be madeof tool steel or other materials well-known in the art. Persons skilledin the art and familiar with my invention will recognize what materialsare suitable for the aforementioned parts.

Many other linkage configurations than those shown in the preferredembodiment illustrated in the figures may be used. Many other devicesfor transferring mailing pieces from hopper 22 to mailing piece feedingmeans 15 are suitable.

Movable fingers 124 are mounted on and affixed to movable finger rod127. Movable finger rod 127 extends from machine side plate 77 to inputside plate 78 and turns in bearing means 128 therein. Reference is madeto FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8. Mounted on and affixed to movable fingerrod 127 near machine side plate 77 is finger rod gear 129, shown inFIGS. 1, 4 and 8. Finger rod gear 129 is engaged with finger gear arm130, which rotates on pivot rod 131. Also rotating on pivot rod 131 andaffixed to finger gear arm 130 is lever arm 132. Attached to lever arm132 by cam follower pin 133 is finger cam follower 134, shown in FIG. 8,which rotates on cam follower pin 133 while rolling on finger cam 126.Finger cam follower 134 responds to the rotation of finger cam 126 andmoves lever arm 132 upon pivot rod 131, and moves finger gear arm 130,finger rod gear 129, movable finger rod 127 and movable fingers 124accordingly. Finger cam follower 134 is maintained in a position incontact with finger cam 126 by virtue of spring means 121, shown in FIG.8. Therefore, the rotation of drum shaft 64 and finger cam 126 controlthe movements of movable fingers 124, which restrain the mailing piecesin hopper 22 while the bottommost mailing piece is withdrawn from thehopper.

Also mounted on movable finger rod 127 is extra finger 135, shown inFIGS. 4 and 8. It is mounted on and affixed to movable finger rod 127 ina position near input side plate 78. Referring to FIG. 8, contact bolt136 is screwed through blower support bar leg 123 which is mounted in aperpendicular fashion to blower support bar 125 in a position allowingcontact between extra finger 135 and contact 137 of contact bolt 136. Asmovable fingers 124 close in contact or near contact with blower supportbar 125, extra finger 135 pushes contact 137 on blower support bar leg123 and causes blower support bar 125 to rotate on its axis, therebycausing blower nozzles 117 to approach the top edges of the mailingpieces in hopper 22. As movable fingers 124 open to a position away fromcontact or near contact with blower support bar 125, extra finger 135 isin a position away from contact 137 and, by virtue of spring 128, pullsblower support bar leg 123, thereby rotating blower support bar 125 inan opposite direction to cause blower nozzles 1 17 to retreat from thetop edges of the mailing pieces in hopper 22.

Mounted on blower support bar 125 in a position above the upper edges ofthe mailing pieces in hopper 22 are blower nozzles 117 by means ofnozzle support piece ll 18. Specific reference is made to FIGS. 7 and 8.Blower nozzles 117 are supplied with air by means of supply tubes 119which are connected to an air pumping means not shown. Blower nozzles117 are directed at top edges of the mailing pieces in hopper 22,specifically in the area of the bottommost mailing piece. The

action of extra finger 135 against contact 137, in causing blowersupport bar to rotate slightly, causes blower nozzles to approach andretreat from the mailing pieces. When blower nozzles 117 are near theedge of the mailing pieces, the air provides a riffling effect toseparate the bottommost mailing piece from the other mailing pieces inthe stack. This riffling effect prevents suction cups 138 from havingsignificant effect upon any other mailing piece than the bottommostmailing piece. The riffling effect is most important when mailing pieceshaving a single layer of higher porosity are being used. When envelopesare the mailing pieces, blower nozzles 117 are normally not required andmay be deactivated by extinguishing the air supply or by disconnectingspring 120 and sliding extra finger away from contact 137. The doublelayer of envelopes reduces the need for the riffling effect, sinceenvelopes are not as likely to have complete contact one to the next.

Blower nozzles 117, nozzle support piece 118, spring 120, blower supportbar leg 123, movable fingers 124, blower support bar 125, finger cam126, movable finger rod 127, bearing means 138, finger rod gear 129,finger gear arm 130, pivot rod 131, lever arm 132, cam follower pin 133,finger cam follower 134, extra finger 135, contact bolt 136 and springmeans 121 are made of materials which are well-known in the art. Many ofthe parts may be made from tool steel. Some may be made of aluminum andother metals. A person skilled in the art and familiar with my inventionwill recognize what materials are suitable. Materials for nozzle tubes119 include rubber, pliable synthetic materials and metals.

Mounted between fourth disc 154 and fifth disc 155, as shown in FIGS. 4and 8, and turning therewith, is reflector 28. Reflector 28 is affixedto fourth disc 154 and fifth disc 155 in a position such that whencatchers 161 and 162 are holding a mailing piece, reflector 28 will becovered thereby. Reflector 28, as it turns with drum shaft 64, passesthrough the beam of retroreflective photocell 67, shown in FIGS. 1 and8. Photocell 67 is mounted on support member 29. The retroreflectivephotocell 67 emits a beam during the time in which reflector 28 wouldpass within the beam. The periodic light emission is controlled bytiming mechanism 30, shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, which is driven bycuttertransfer-applicator block shaft 65.

A light signal is emitted by retroreflective photocell 67 and is notreflected back to the photocell if a mailing piece is covering reflector28. Upon not receiving a signal, the retroreflective photocell fails tosignal solenoid clutching device 66. Therefore, the solenoid clutchingdevice maintains the rotating action of cutter-transferapplicator blockshaft 65.'If, however, a light signal emitted by retroreflectivephotocell 67 is reflected back by virtue of the absence of a mailingpiece to cover reflector 28, photocell 67 will signal solenoid clutchingdevice 66, causing the cessation of rotation ofcutter-transfer-applicator block 20. In this way no valuable addresslabels will be lost.

Summarizing the operation of the preferred mailing piece feeding meansset forth, a mailing piece in hopper 22, after advancing to the bottomof the stack in hopper 22, is separated from the stack by the rifflingeffect of blower nozzles 117, by the action of suction cups 138, bymovable fingers 124 and by the grabbing action of catchers 161 and 162.The mailing piece is then carried in the grip of catchers 161 and 162 bythe turning action of drum shaft 64 and discs 151 to 155 thereon and theparts associated therewith to application zone 40. In application zone40, the mailing piece, still gripped by catchers 161 and 162, passespressure part 39 and experiences the pressure which is exerted bysurface 32 of cutter-transfer-applicator block in applying a label.Thereafter the labeled mailing piece, still gripped by catchers 161 and162 is fed by the turning of drum shaft 64 to deposit zone 44 where itis released by the opening of catchers 161 and 162. The opened catcherscontinue turning with drum shaft 64 and subsequently close aroundanother mailing piece to repeat the operation.

Referring specifically to FIG. 9, a piece part drawing illustrates thepaths of movement of label strip 13, label 41 cut therefrom mailingpiece 42 and labeled mailing piece 43. A mailing piece is withdrawn frommailing piece stack 48 in hopper 22, is carried by mailing piece feedingmeans 15 to application zone 40. Label 41 was cut bycutter-transfer-applicator block 20, transferred thereby to applicationzone 40 and applied thereby to a mailing piece thereby, all after beingadvanced as a part of label strip 13 by metering means 21 to a positionfor cutting by cutter-transfer-applicator block 20. After a label isapplied to a mailing piece, labeled mailing piece 43 is carried bymailing piece feeding means to deposit zone 44 and release thereto.

Because a single part, the cutter-transfer-applicator block, performsseveral functions and thereby reduces paper handling by machinery, thedevice and method of my invention will provide reliable equipment foruse by those involved in mass mailing.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been describedin relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many detailshave been set forth for the purposes of illustration, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptibleto additional embodiments and that certain of the details describedherein can be varied considerably without departing from the basicprinciples of the invention.

I claim:

1. A labeling and feeding machine for mailing pieces comprising labelstrip supplier means;

metering mea s for advancing a portion of a label strip from saidsupplier means;

structurally unitary cutter-transfer-applicator means having means forreceiving said portion of said label strip;

cutter means mounted thereon for severing said portion from said labelstrip;

unitary means comprising a transfer-applicator surface on said unitarymeans to receive said portion of said label strip and holding andreleasing means for holding said portion to said surface about from saidsevering of said portion until application of said severed portion to amailing piece and thereafter releasing said severed portion from saidsurface for said application;

drive means for moving said unitary cutter-transferapplicator means tosequentially in timed relation sever said portion from said label stripby movement of said cutter, to then transfer said severed portion heldon said surface to an application zone and to thereafter apply saidsevered portion of said label strip to a mailing piece in saidapplication zone;

mailing piece feeding means to move a mailing piece to said applicationzone and thereafter to feed said mailing piece with said severed portionof said label strip attached thereto to a deposit zone, and adhesivemeans for providing adherence of said severed portion to said mailingpiece upon contact of said severed portion with said mailing piece.

2. The labeling and feeding machine of claim 1 wherein thetransfer-applicator surface defines apertures, a vacuum-producing meansbeing in communication with said apertures about from said severing ofsaid portion until said application of said severed portion.

3. The labeling and feeding machine of claim 1 wherein said adhesivemeans includes a heating means for activating a heat-activated glue onsaid severed portion of said label strip.

4. The labeling and feeding machine of claim 1 wherein saidcutter-transfer-applicator block is rotatably mounted, said drive meansrotating said cuttertransfer-applicator block from a first position inwhich said severing is accomplished to a second position in which saidapplying is accomplished.

5. The labeling and feeding machine of claim 4 wherein said adhesivemeans includes a heating means for activating a heat-activated glue onsaid severed portion of said label strip.

6. The labeling and feeding machine of claim 4 wherein thetransfer-applicator surface defines apertures, a vacuum-producing meansbeing in communication with said apertures about from said severing ofsaid portion until said application of said severed portion.

7. The labeling and feeding machine of claim 6 wherein said adhesivemeans includes a heating means for activating a heat-activated glue onsaid severed portion of said label strip.

1. A labeling and feeding machine for mailing pieces comprising labelstrip supplier means; metering means for advancing a portion of a labelstrip from said supplier means; structurally unitarycutter-transfer-applicator means having means for receiving said portionof said label strip; cutter means mounted thereon for severing saidportion from said label strip; unitary means comprising atransfer-applicator surface on said unitary means to receive saidportion of said label strip and holding and releasing means for holdingsaid portion to said surface about from said severing of said portionuntil application of said severed portion to a mailing piece andthereafter releasing said severed portion from said surface for saidapplication; drive means for moving said unitarycutter-transfer-applicator means to sequentially in timed relation seversaid portion from said label strip by movement of said cutter, to thentransfer said severed portion held on said surface to an applicationzone and to thereafter apply said severed portion of said label strip toa mailing piece in said application zone; mailing piece feeding means tomove a mailing piece to said application zone and thereafter to feedsaid mailing piece with said severed portion of said label stripattached thereto to a deposit zone, and adhesive means for providingadherence of said severed portion to said mailing piece upon contact ofsaid severed portion with said mailing piece.
 2. The labeling andfeeding machine of claim 1 wherein the transfer-applicator surfacedefines apertures, a vacuum-producing means being in communication withsaid apertures about from said severing of said portion until saidapplication of said severed portion.
 3. The labeling and feeding machineof claim 1 wherein said adhesive means includes a heating means foractivating a heat-activated glue on said severed portion of said labelstrip.
 4. The labeling and feeding machine of claim 1 wherein saidcutter-transfer-applicator block is rotatably mounted, said drive meansrotating said cutter-transfer-applicator block from a first position inwhich said severing is accomplished to a second position in which saidapplying is accomplished.
 5. The labeling and feeding machine of claim 4wherein said adhesive means includes a heating means for activating aheat-activated glue on said severed portion of said label strip.
 6. Thelabeling and feeding machine of claim 4 wherein the transfer-applicatorsurface defines apertures, a vacuum-producing means being incommunication with said apertures about from said severing of saidportion until said application of said severed portion.
 7. The labelingand feeding machine of claim 6 wherein said adhesive means includes aheating means for activating a heat-activated glue on said severedportion of said label strip.